~Holy Christmas, Santa!~

Oh. my. stars!

I am feeling a little crazy these days and am totally loving this year's Christmas!

I had most of our Christmas shopping done by December 1st!  HOW?  It's easy.  We decided years ago that we were going to whittle our list down to 3 things per child.  The 3 Wise Men gave our Lord, Jesus Christ, 3 gifts and so our children receive 3 gifts from us.   I will explain our Santa in a minute.

These 3 gifts fall in these categories: 1 need, 1 want, 1 spiritual/educational.  They usually choose the big gift to be in the want category.  The big gift is from Mom and Dad.  The want is from Santa and the spiritual is something that we feel they need to increase their faith or education.  Aaron and Alyssa last year received their nice sets of scriptures to use for Seminary in the next few years.  This year though, I think it's going to be a family gift... that's my one gift that's left to purchase.

Our Santa Claus has always been more of a personal shopper and therefore the Parents have to pay Santa to find the gifts.  If it's not in the budget, it's not sent to Santa.   Santa then, purchases the gifts and "Santa's Helpers" (UPS, FedEx, and Postal Service) are the heroes and deliver them.  Then on Christmas Eve, the elves stop by and wrap the gifts (which are already wrapped before they are sent, by the company we purchase from) and Santa pops his head in to make sure they get set out "just right".   It's pretty easy and my kids love seeing when the helpers deliver the presents.   

I am then free to focus on the real meaning of Christmas.  Jesus Christ is the focus in our home and every Christmas since the kids were little, they must watch Mr. Kruger's Christmas, Joy to the World (MOTAB) and Luke 2  before they are even allowed to wake up Mom and Dad.  This way, we start the day with Christ in mind and they remember that it's a celebration of His birth.  

I have found that in our home, we are really focused and there aren't many, "I want..."s, there are more "Can I give...?".

I just finished last night playing piano for the Kindergarteners for the Franklin West Christmas Concert.  I loved these little voices and understand that there were a few (as there always are) kids that were shaking booty, waving to everyone, and goofing off on stage!  As happy as I am that it's done, I will miss these funny little kids waving to me as they pass by the piano!

OH!  I almost forgot, I had a friend tell me I needed to post this on my site!

To backtrack to Thanksgiving, however,  we are building a tradition of writing what we are grateful for on a mirror.  I  have always told my kids, "You are a reflection of the things that you are most grateful for."  This way they are grateful for others' kindness and service, and live to be more kind and service-filled.  This is done on a mirror that is in a prominent place in our home, one that we use most and they see often.  We have had many discussions through the days of how we can be grateful for more than just these things.  Some of the more serious subjects on the mirror are: The Gospel, Jesus Christ, Generosity, Scriptures, Missionaries, and Prayer.   The more fun subjects are: monkeys, turkeys, hot water, gravity, and wifi.   I love to see all of these intermingled and we are so grateful throughout this season to have a constant reminder of who we are and those things that we love.

I hope you all have a very, Merry Christmas!!!!!  *hugs* and *more hugs*